The music world has lost Glen Hansard, who died in a motorbike crash in Dublin in the early hours of Wednesday. The 56-year-old was involved in a single-vehicle collision on Lower Road in Lucan, west of the city, an incident reported to emergency services shortly before 04:30 local time.
ATC Management, which represented Hansard, said his family was "deeply shocked and heartbroken" and thanked emergency services for their response. Hansard was the father of a three-year-old son, and friends and colleagues immediately expressed shock and sorrow.
Hansard rose to public attention after being cast in the 1991 musical comedy film The Commitments and later led acclaimed rock band The Frames for decades. He shared an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008 with Marketa Irglova for Falling Slowly, written for the low-budget musical romance Once. The pair recorded three albums as The Swell Season, and Hansard also worked as a solo artist; his 2016 album Didn’t He Ramble was nominated for a Grammy in 2016.
Charities and colleagues highlighted Hansard’s long-running fundraising work for people without homes. He started an annual Christmas Eve busk in Dublin in 2010 that drew high-profile musicians including Bono, Sinéad O’Connor and Shane McGowan, and raised regular sums for homelessness charities. The Simon Community said it was "devastated" and praised both his talent and his "commitment to social justice." Artist Colin Davidson called the busk "an international Irish institution in its own right" and said he was "quite broken" by the news.
Tributes arrived from around the world. Bruce Springsteen posted that "Here on E Street, we are heartbroken over the death of Glen Hansard," adding he had known Hansard for many years and remembered him as "a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man." Ed Sheeran said he was "heartbroken" and grateful for the times they shared. Bono described Hansard as the "most musical and mischievous archangel of Ballymun." Film and stage star Rachel Zegler wrote, "Oh I will love you forever." Colleagues from The Commitments and other musicians also paid personal condolences.
A book of condolence has been opened online and will be available in person at the Mansion House in Dublin on Thursday and Friday. Hansard’s death leaves a gap in Ireland’s music scene and in the causes he championed; the immediate focus for friends and fans is mourning and supporting his family.
